A VM Strategy for the Home Environment. :)

Hi All,

So I've got my Dell T20 all set up running Windows 2012 R2 Server, and VMWare Workstation Pro to run Virtual Machines. The idea being keep the W12 Server 'clean' with minimal extra software, all that can go on the VM's which can easily be rolled back etc. Got W10 and W7 Ultimate so far, mainly for file sharing activities. Bridged so they can all talk. Host is effectively the storage server too.

All going well until Mrs.rl4 asks if she can log on to the computer, like she always has (Account on old Windows 7 box). Had issues in the past where e.g. Firefox was running on her account and I couldn't update it was in use.

So long and short is I want a separate VM for her but ideally not by logging into W12 Server to get to it. Is this possible? Just getting up to speed on VM's so ideally don't really want to go down the route of Headless servers, HyperV, Separate Domain Controllers etc. What do other folks do on here?

Originally Posted by Nigel Farage MEP - 2016-06-24 04:00:00

"I hope this victory brings down this failed project and leads us to a Europe of sovereign nation states, trading together, being friends together, cooperating together, and let's get rid of the flag, the anthem, Brussels, and all that has gone wrong."

So I've got my Dell T20 all set up running Windows 2012 R2 Server, and VMWare Workstation Pro to run Virtual Machines. The idea being keep the W12 Server 'clean' with minimal extra software, all that can go on the VM's which can easily be rolled back etc. Got W10 and W7 Ultimate so far, mainly for file sharing activities. Bridged so they can all talk. Host is effectively the storage server too.

All going well until Mrs.rl4 asks if she can log on to the computer, like she always has (Account on old Windows 7 box). Had issues in the past where e.g. Firefox was running on her account and I couldn't update it was in use.

So long and short is I want a separate VM for her but ideally not by logging into W12 Server to get to it. Is this possible? Just getting up to speed on VM's so ideally don't really want to go down the route of Headless servers, HyperV, Separate Domain Controllers etc. What do other folks do on here?

Get her a cheap tablet!

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

Got a cheap tablet, but it's more for her professional qualification stuff so you need a desk and a keyboard.

Originally Posted by Nigel Farage MEP - 2016-06-24 04:00:00

"I hope this victory brings down this failed project and leads us to a Europe of sovereign nation states, trading together, being friends together, cooperating together, and let's get rid of the flag, the anthem, Brussels, and all that has gone wrong."

Naa. It's a server, I don't want to be rebooting it cos she wants to send an email. It's on 24/7 for a 99.99% Uptime of torrent downloading and file sharing/file store.

Originally Posted by d000hg

Get her a £200 laptop or desktop, unless space is the issue?

Well the server (or rather, the monitors for it) is in the home office cos that's where the desk space and cabinets are, don't really want to clutter it up with extra leads and stuff.

How about, can I lock down an account on W12 Server so the only thing the user can do is a Remote Desktop into a VM? That could work couldn't it? Possibly do it as a startup command?

Last edited by rl4engc; 10th February 2017 at 11:05.

Originally Posted by Nigel Farage MEP - 2016-06-24 04:00:00

"I hope this victory brings down this failed project and leads us to a Europe of sovereign nation states, trading together, being friends together, cooperating together, and let's get rid of the flag, the anthem, Brussels, and all that has gone wrong."

Ummm if she's got something to RDP from then why does she need an account on the server?

Personally as a hypervisor I'd be using ESXi as apart from anything else it doesn't need a GUI.

If your Mrs needs a desktop rather than just email, then just buy a cheapo Dell and have done with it. You'll regret it when your server (instead of her desktop) is cluttered up with random crap otherwise.....

And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

Ummm if she's got something to RDP from then why does she need an account on the server?

Personally as a hypervisor I'd be using ESXi as apart from anything else it doesn't need a GUI.

If your Mrs needs a desktop rather than just email, then just buy a cheapo Dell and have done with it. You'll regret it when your server (instead of her desktop) is cluttered up with random crap otherwise.....

Think he wants her to log onto main w12 host with a restricted account and rpd to auto started W7 guest on VMware workstation

Naa. It's a server, I don't want to be rebooting it cos she wants to send an email. It's on 24/7 for a 99.99% Uptime of torrent downloading and file sharing/file store.

Well the server (or rather, the monitors for it) is in the home office cos that's where the desk space and cabinets are, don't really want to clutter it up with extra leads and stuff.

How about, can I lock down an account on W12 Server so the only thing the user can do is a Remote Desktop into a VM? That could work couldn't it? Possibly do it as a startup command?

You could:
- Lock down the 2012 server so it starts up a VM on boot, or something, like you've suggested.
Or
- Lock down her desktop so that the icons all point to a specific VM and make the most of the Unity feature in VMware. This will help to make it look seamless to her.
Don't forget to remove the ability for her to shutdown the server.